Research Collaboration
& Networking
In order to understand the ancient wisdom of the wise one, the effort of research need to be carry out by experts in that area with their expertise. Collaboration between world class organizations in the respective fields would be a much better option in term of gain recognition & efficiency compare to do it alone.
DHAMMACHAI TIPITAKA PROJECT
A project aid on revive ancient wisdom
DHAMMACHAI INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
In-depth research is the way to bring more profound discovery
RESEARCH COLLABORATION
With collective efforts make perfection
MOU with Hsuan Chuang University in Taiwan
On July 16, 2551 B.E.(2008), Dhammachai Institute’s Buddhist Studies Department and Hsuan Chuang University’s Religious Studies Department in Taiwan signed an academic agreement to develop together better learning and teaching methods and elevate academic development standard.
The purpose of this MOU is to collaborate with the three universities mentioned previously for a research project entitled “Theravada Buddhism: Continuity and Varieties”, which is a project related to the original teaching of Theravada Buddhism.
MOU with Peking University
On August 27, 2552 B.E.(2009) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Peking University agreed to translate the Tripitaka from Pali into modern Chinese. This Tripitaka version is called “Beida-Dhammachai Pali Series” (BDP).
The purpose of this MOU is to collaborate with the three universities mentioned previously for a research project entitled “Theravada Buddhism: Continuity and Varieties”, which is a project related to the original teaching of Theravada Buddhism.
Sri Lanka’s Buddhist TV Channel
On September 29, 2553 B.E.(2010) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, DMC signed an agreement with Sri Lanka’s Buddhist TV Channel, MOU, to exchange broadcasting programs with each other. The Siamvongse Nikaya Supreme Patriarch presided over the signing. Initially, MOU will air certain DMC programs that are of interest to the people of Sri Lanka for two hours each day.
Siminar: Perpetuation of the Buddha’s Teachings: During Buddha’s Time to the Present Days
On Saturday, February 23, 2556 B.E.(2013), the Tripitaka Research Group of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the Dhammakaya Foundation along with 10 universities from around the world, organized a seminar and exhibits on the Tripitaka-Pali under the theme “Perpetuation of the Buddha’s Teachings: During Buddha’s Time to the Present Days” at Thailand Science Park Convention Center in Pathumthani.
During the seminar there were exhibitions and lectures from a panel of world renowned Pali experts such as Professor Richard Gombrich from Oxford University; Professor Oskar von Hinüber, an expert on Pali and ancient manuscripts; Professor Rupert Gethin, President of the Pali Text Society; and Professor Masahiro Shimoda from University of Tokyo. Professor Shimoda presented discussions on the topics: “The Transmission of Dhamma Through Oral Tradition”; “The Transmission of Dhamma Through Palm-leaf Manuscript”; “The Transmission of
Dhamma Through Printed Editions of the Tipitaka”; and “The Transmission of Dhamma in the Digital Age.”
The Tripitaka Research Group of Wat Phra Dhammakaya organized this event as an effort to preserve the ancient manuscripts digitally, a more durable format, and to create a database of the Tripitaka to assist the continued research of Buddhism throughout the world. At the event, the Tripitaka Research Group discussed their research results on ancient Buddhist manuscripts from every tradition and presented the “Dhammachai Tripitaka (preliminary edition)” in order to corral opinions and recommendations from experts that can be applied to producing the most complete text.
Networking
Efficient actions require proper connections which could establish through networking with relevant parties.Therefore, networking development is an asset toward achieving our goals.
In accordance with an agreement signed between The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist studirs and the dhammakaya Foundation on July 5, 2553 B.E.(1990), monks from the Dhammakaya Foundation are exchanged with those from the Chung-Hwa Institute, Taipei for prolonged periods of complementary Studies.
In 2541 B.E.(1998) ,The Dhammakaya Foundation payed friendship visits to several Reginal Centers of the World Fellowship of Buddhist youth such as Korea Young Buddhist Association, Young men’s Buddhist Association of Nepal, World Fellowship of Buddhist youth Sri Lanka, and Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia.
The Dhammakaya Foundation has also developed co-operation with other like-minded organization such as Rissho Koseikai with activities including :
• In 2535 B.E.(1992), the provision of the Buddha image and 100 robes to the secretary of the Buddhism Propagation Society, Bangladesh;
• In 2536 B.E.(1993), the provision of the Buddha image to the people of Kunming, China;
• In 2537 B.E.(1994), the provision of the Buddha image, Phra Buddha Dhipanghorn, to the Thai-Japanese temple of Hiroshima, Japan:
• In 2537 B.E.(1994), the offering of computerized scriptures and a Buddha Image to Burmese Monastic community, Rangoon, Myanmar;
• The provision of meditation training for Malaysian Buddhist monks:
• The provision of meditation training for monks and staff of the Mahamandala Welfare Organization (MWO), Bangaladesh;
• Co-operation with the Chung-Hwa Institute, Taiwan to exchange study of the arts,culture,language, and Buddhism;
• In 2534 B.E.(1991), the provision of training for students of the Mahabodhi Society, Bangalore,India;
The Future
There is still a long way to the promotion of social harmony and everlasting peace in the world because the scale of the task is enormous and there is no previous perfection which can be followed.
The task of creating social wellbeing cannot be performed overnight but requires a long and patient process of giving, teaching and understanding. Wherever in the world people are crying out for an alternative to stress and the turmoil. Dhammakaya Foundation tries its best to serve their needs by providing education in virtue and meditation. Every one of our activities is for the purpose of restoring Buddhism and world morality to its original glory as it once was during the Buddha’s time.
In order to make dreams a reality, on a scale that is not limited by national boundaries, we, as the people of the world, have to work hand-in-hand heart-to-heart with mutual understanding and best co-operation as the watchword in raising the quality of mind for all people throughout the world. The new millennium will be the millennium of liaison and exchange to enable national boundaries and time-zones to be transcended so that people around the world can work together on the global issue with like-minded manner of different faiths, religions or nationality, even though they may be separated by thousands of miles. The co-operation and consolidation between all of us today will be a major milestone on the road to lasting world peace through facilitating a higher level of consciousness for mankind.
This mission can be completed if members of the Four Buddhist Communities unite as one in the same way that there is only one sun in the sky. We must work together to “change the world”, and we must do it now. Otherwise, it will be too late.
